Moonlite Theatre
Also known as: Moonlite Drive-in; 095-5256
Why it's listed
Drive-in movie going survives at this theatre on Lee Highway, southwest of Abingdon, Virginia. Built in spring 1949 and opened that summer, it occupies 13.29 acres and keeps its original layout: a 65-foot steel-frame screen tower clad in corrugated metal, a ticket booth, a concession and projection building, and a neon attraction board by the highway. A long entrance drive leads to 454 reverse-incline parking spaces arranged in a semicircle around the screen, with surviving pole speakers. Local businessman T. D. Fields first operated the theatre, and it has run continuously since opening. It is one of only eight drive-ins operating in Virginia and one of the earlier survivals of the type. Its fame also rests on two country-western songs about it, played before shows. The nomination treats it as a highly intact example from the heyday of drive-ins and as a landmark of regional entertainment, with a period of significance of 1949 to 1957.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the theatre is significant under Criterion A in entertainment and recreation as a rare, highly intact surviving drive-in from the heyday of the form. It is one of only eight drive-ins operating in Virginia and has run continuously since 1949. It is also a beloved local landmark celebrated in country-western songs.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 07000802, listed August 8, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 17555 Lee Highway, Abingdon |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | August 8, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07000802 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1949-1957 |
| Architectural style | Other: drive-in theatre |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still operating; opens each year in early April and has operated continuously since 1949. Described as in excellent condition, though the pole speaker system is in poor repair and audio is broadcast over FM radio. |
| Acreage | 13.3 |
| Coordinates | 36.67840, -82.04865 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 07000802.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15255954
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.